Bill Text: NJ SR118 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Memorializes USDOT to adopt rules prohibiting airlines from charging baggage fees to military personnel.*

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Passed) 2015-06-25 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR118 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2014-SR118-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 118

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 12, 2015

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JAMES BEACH

District 6 (Burlington and Camden)

Senator  DIANE B. ALLEN

District 7 (Burlington)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Cruz-Perez

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Memorializes USDOT to adopt rules prohibiting airlines from charging baggage fees to military personnel.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As amended by the Senate on May 18, 2015.

  

A Senate Resolution memorializing the ¹[Federal Aviation Administration] United States Department of Transportation¹ to adopt rules prohibiting airline carriers from charging baggage fees to military personnel.

 

Whereas, Many brave citizens of this country honorably serve in the Armed Forces of the United States; and

Whereas, Members of the military endure hardships and long separations from family and friends, and confront life-threatening dangers to defend our nation and the values for which it stands; and

Whereas, ¹[In recent weeks,] News reports indicated that¹ soldiers returning home from active duty in Afghanistan incurred excessive baggage fees charged by the airline carrier on which they were traveling; and

Whereas, Members of an U.S. Army squadron returning to Ft. Polk, Louisiana from Afghanistan were charged $200 for their fourth checked bag, even though their military orders allow them to check four bags; and

Whereas, The 34 member squadron was charged more than $2800 in bag fees by Delta Airlines; and

Whereas, These soldiers, like many other members of the Armed Forces traveling under military orders, were required to travel with tools and gear to be used during their deployment; and

Whereas, A growing number of commercial airlines now impose fees on many services which they once provided at no cost to customers, including checking luggage, and have been increasing fees on other services, such as on the checking of overweight and oversized bags; and

Whereas, The United States Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that in 2010, airline carriers in the United States collected $3.4 billion in baggage fees, up 24% from the $2.7 billion in baggage fees the airlines collected in 2009; and

Whereas, The ¹[Federal Aviation Administration] United States Department of Transportation¹ should promptly provide protections for military personnel and adopt rules prohibiting airline carriers from charging baggage fees to military personnel; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    This House memorializes the ¹[Federal Aviation Administration] United States Department of Transportation¹ to promptly adopt rules prohibiting airline carriers from charging baggage fees to military personnel.

 

2.       Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the ¹[Administrator] Secretary¹ of the ¹[Federal Aviation Administration] United States Department of Transportation, each airline carrier with commercial flight operations at Newark Liberty International Airport, Trenton-Mercer Airport, and Atlantic City International Airport,¹ and each member of the United States Congress elected from this State.

 

3.     This resolution shall take effect immediately.